Rapoport said James has been seeking additional opinions on his groin and he is expected to be out an extended period of time. Dolphins head coach Adam Gase also said on Thursday that James is seeking second opinions.

“We’re still meeting with doctors,” Gase said. “He’s kind of getting some second opinions and things like that to make sure that whatever we decide to do this year if it’s long term or short term. We just need to figure all that out.”

The former first-rounder has been one of the better offensive linemen for the Dolphins this year. If James is out for the season, that would be a massive loss to a line that has struggled this season.

Earlier this week, the Dolphins signed Zach Sterup from the Browns practice squad and could move Jesse Davis from left guard to right tackle, if Ted Larsen is ready to play this week.